The Home Office is expanding police powers to address unauthorised encampments and disruptive protest tactics through amendments to vehicle removal and storage legislation, building on powers introduced in the Public Order Act 2023. The policy aims to balance the right to protest with public order and community safety, following increased scrutiny of protest policing in recent years. Current status involves active consultation on replacement legislation for the Vagrancy Act and consideration of how police powers interact with homelessness and rough sleeping.
We are consulting on amendments to secondary legislation on the police removal, storage and disposal of vehicles.
We are consulting on amendments to secondary legislation on the police removal, storage and disposal of vehicles.
In response to: Review of the Vagrancy Act: consultation on effective replacement
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is consulting on proposed replacement legislation for the Vagrancy Act.
Consultation on the relationship between community safety partnerships and police and crime commissioners, and the expansion of antisocial behaviour powers.
Consultation on the relationship between community safety partnerships and police and crime commissioners, and the expansion of antisocial behaviour powers.
Consultation on the relationship between community safety partnerships and police and crime commissioners, and the expansion of antisocial behaviour powers.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is consulting on proposed replacement legislation for the Vagrancy Act.
The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities is consulting on proposed replacement legislation for the Vagrancy Act.
In response to: Strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments
In response to: Strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments
Consultation on measures to criminalise trespassing when setting up an unauthorised encampment in England and Wales.
Consultation on measures to criminalise trespassing when setting up an unauthorised encampment in England and Wales.
Consultation on measures to criminalise trespassing when setting up an unauthorised encampment in England and Wales.
A Bill to make it a criminal offence to demand money to vacate an unauthorised encampment; and for connected purposes.
In response to: Powers for dealing with unauthorised development and encampments
The government is seeking views on the effectiveness of powers for dealing with unauthorised development and encampments.
The government is seeking views on the effectiveness of powers for dealing with unauthorised development and encampments.
The government is seeking views on the effectiveness of powers for dealing with unauthorised development and encampments.
A consultation on the way chief police officers designate powers and roles on police staff and volunteers.
A consultation on the way chief police officers designate powers and roles on police staff and volunteers.
A consultation on the way chief police officers designate powers and roles on police staff and volunteers.
A Bill to enable police forces and local authorities in England and Wales to disperse unauthorised traveller encampments with the minimum of delay; and for connected purposes